Not taking advantage of steaming in the microwave

The microwave is useful for reheating leftovers, popping popcorn, and heating frozen meals. In a pinch, it can also steam food. If you want to steam some vegetables but don't want to bother with a large pot and a steamer basket, it's a mistake to believe you're out of options when you have a microwave in your kitchen.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the vegetables with 1 tablespoon of liquid. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or plastic wrap and start the microwave. The only thing to keep in mind is that results may vary depending on the vegetable. The vegetables may also shrivel slightly after microwave steaming, and they will likely steam faster than on the stove, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Aside from that, microwaving vegetables is a great way to steam them quickly.